One of the more intriguing and mysterious figures in modern music is Beck, and he’s hitting the road this summer to provide more lasting memories for those lucky enough to attend his shows. Some would call Beck a musician, while others would label him as a poet. The general consensus, however, is that there is no label for Beck. Everyone who sees him and enjoys his music comes away with a different meaning and effect, and that trend will no doubt continue for the foreseeable future.

Life Story

Beck was born Beck David Campbell on July 8, 1970 in Los Angeles. His parents seemingly passed his unique set of artistic talents onto him, as his father, David Campbell, was a musician, and his mother, Bibbe Hansen, was a visual artist. One can definitely see and hear these influences in Beck’s work.

Founding Pixies bassist Kim Deal has left the band. Remaining members Black Francis, Joey Santiago and David Lovering officially announced her departure on Friday (June 14) through the Pixies Facebook page.

“We are sad to say that Kim Deal has decided to leave the Pixies,” reads the statement. “We are very proud to have worked with her on and off over the last 25 years. Despite her decision to move on, we will always consider her a member of the Pixies, and her place will always be here for her. We wish her all the best.”

Deal, who is currently on tour with her other band, the Breeders, has yet to comment. She joined the Pixies at the band’s inception in 1986, releasing four albums together between 1988 and 1991.

In my opinion electronic music takes away the soul in music. Take an intermediate song writer. They would use all there skills and power to create a song, maybe not up to everyone’s standards, but creating the best they could with all their heart. They are feeling the tunes and playing the best they can, this is the soul in playing, giving it your all physically and mentally.

Now your electronic musician, they can play any amount of notes in any amount of time they want. You get a loop going and mess around with other electronic things on top of that. It sounds good and its very original, but the creator isn’t involved with the song throughout. The individual performance doesn’t effect the intensity, and there is no emotional attachment to a jam that speeds up or becomes tighter, its a matter of moving some stuff or hitting some button.

I don’t know everything about electronic music. But in my experience, having played with computer software, and real instruments, I respect the real thing more. I believe there is a difference between playing your heart out, and making tones that sound good.

Ween is possibly the most talented band that has graced the music industry even though about fifty percent of you reading this have probably never heard of them, maybe less. Gene and Dean Ween are the geniuses behind Ween, Aaron Freeman and Mickey Melchiondo respectively. They formed Ween in New Hope, PA when they were in eighth grade and since then they’ve been making the music industry their bitch behind closed doors and fueled with all kinds of psychedelic drugs.

Now, this bio might be a little biased considering Ween is my favorite band (see Weenhead), but it’s hard not to be impressed with them. Both of them play multiple instruments that stretch through all types of genres of music. Both of them have a vocal range that in my opinion is only outmatched by very few singers, the only coming to mind being Freddy Mercury. Not only that, but it’s all a joke to them. Every single one of their albums is heavily interlaced with musical satire that rips apart pretty much every genre of music. From Japanese Cowboy, possibly one of the most racist songs I’ve ever heard off of their album 12 Golden Country Greats (which incidently has only 10 songs, but that’s Ween for you), to Bananas and Blow off of White Pepper, which explains why Jimmy Buffet is always smiling, comedy is one of Ween’s main elements and they use it to the fullest. But of course, Ween has its serious side. They have quite a few love/breakup songs like Stay Forever off of White Pepper, Baby Bitch off of Chocolate and Cheese, and It’s Gonna Be (Alright) off of the Mollusk, that really show you a personal side of Ween. And then there’s the side of Ween that’s…well it’s best listened to when under the influence of some kind of psychedelic drug. Song’s like Laura off of The Pod, Happy Colored Marbles off of Quebec (really anything off of Quebec), and Spinal Meningitis off of Chocolate and Cheese. And there are so many more songs I want to name but I’m not going to spoil the thrill that is Ween for you.

I still have to ask myself sometimes if Ween is playing because they’re so sporadic and versatile it’s almost surprising. But you’ll find that out yourself when you go listen to them. Every album is different and I suggest you get all of them, because we need more Weenheads to bring Ween back.

For all the people who talk down on our country, and government. What would you do if your the last man standing, and everyone needed your say? Would you talk big and make promises you can’t keep? If you believe you can make a change, remember there was hundreds before you who felt the same way. Hundreds before you who thought they could make a change. If you are given the chance to change the world, could you?